Table 4 General characteristics and understanding of anti-malarial treatment intake in the exit interview study population

Age (years)

 <5

43 (35.8)

–

 ≥5

77 (64.2)

92 (100.0)

 Mean, median (minimum–maximum) (years)

10, 5 (0–60)

28, 27 (10–68)

Gender

 Male

64 (53.3)

9 (9.8)

 Female

56 (46.7)

83 (90.2)

Highest education level

 Illiterate

3/28^a (10.7)

17/91^b (18.7)

 Primary level

12/28^a (42.9)

37/91^b (40.6)

 Secondary level

12/28^a (42.9)

35/91^b (38.5)

 Higher level

1/28^a (3.5)

2/91^b (2.2)

Perception of disease (n = 120)

 Able to name disease as malaria

33

27.5

 Able to name signs/symptoms of malaria

72

60.0

 Disease and its signs/symptoms unknown or other symptoms mentioned

15

12.5

Perception of anti-malarial treatment (n = 120)

 Able to show FDC ASAQ as only malaria treatment

97

80.8

 Able to show FDC ASAQ together with paracetamol

10

8.3

 Shows only paracetamol

2

1.7

 Unable to distinguish any given treatment

11

9.2

Patient or caretaker of patient

 Was able to correctly repeat the instructions for FDC ASAQ intake

107/120

89.2

 Errors made while repeating the instructions for FDC ASAQ intake

13/120

10.8

  Second dose will be wrongly taken at first intake day in the evening

6/13

46.2

  Split dose in half and take first half in the morning and second half in the evening

4/13

30.8

  Unable to repeat instructions

2/13

15.4

  Will start with FDC ASAQ the next day (first dose was not given at OPD)

1/13

7.7

Will continue with treatment although patient feels better the next day

114/120

95.0

OPD role

 Was asked in the OPD if she/he had understood instructions

87/120

72.5

 Was asked to repeat instructions

39/120

32.5

 Was given additional information related to FDC ASAQ

43/120

35.8